Welsh union concern over reworked uplands support scheme

Welsh government plans to support the most disadvantaged regions of Wales do not go far enough to protect the future of upland farmers, NFU Cymru has warned.

Last week the government unveiled a series of changes to its Glastir agri-environment land management scheme.

NFU Cymru welcomed elements of the reworked Glastir but remains concerned for the future of farmers in the uplands.

See also: Welsh uplands handed biggest slice of CAP cash

John Owen, chairman of the NFU Cymru Less Favoured Area Board, said he was pleased that it offered a more comprehensive package of support for upland farmers but added: “At this stage we cannot overstate the need for the introduction of a dedicated scheme for the uplands that reflects the additional costs of farming in these naturally disadvantaged areas.”

With 15% of direct payments in Wales being invested in environmental measures, the union stressed that accessibility to Glastir needed to be a priority.

Glastir was originally designed to be accessible to all farmers. The union’s rural affairs board chairman, Bernard Llewellyn, said the aim was to spread money for implementing agri-environment work more widely among farmers.

“We believe it vital that all farmers in Wales are able to access Glastir, not least because of the Welsh government’s decision to transfer the maximum 15% from Pillar 1 to Pillar 2 to fund the Wales Rural Development Plan,’’ he said.